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Denise Johnson
United Kingdom
27 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Jan 2006 : 19:28:06
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I am considering a house purchase in Gambia. Does anyone have an advise? I am particularly interested in the new Taf development at Brufut
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Janky
United Kingdom
92 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2006 : 20:07:08
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| I came back from Gambia at the end of November 2005 and I noticed that they have a estate agent across from Ali Baba's in Sengambia area.You can deal with TAF over the internet. I believe it gives you all the correct info and contact details that you need to buy a house from them, but you are better going to Gambia and arranging to see one of the houses in person. |
Janky |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2006 : 20:39:25
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I was considering buying a taf property too. Several things changed my mind. My accountant advised to only invest abroad what you can afford to lose. I am not rich enough to be able to do that...
Of course accountants are not known for risk taking!
The political situation in Gambia is not that secure at the moment and I wonder what will happen after the elections?
Also Brufut, which is close by, has been the location for a group of very violent murders of Ghanians.....and I wonder what is in store there in the future.
Also taf properties are mainly owned by foreigners to Gambia and I dont want to live in some sort of expat isolation, I want to live amongst Gambians.(But with electricity and water!)
The taf web site is very detailed and they respond quickly to emails. If you decide to go ahead you definately need to visit the site and I would suggest taking a Gambian along to negotiate for you.
You will get a better price.
I have decided to use all my money to buy my home in England and rent somewhere to live when I go to Gambia...at least for the forseeable future. Does anyone know good places to rent in the Kotu area? Or is Serrekunda the best place to rent?
Apparently the taf properties are easy to rent out. They have a good location and good road access.
I am not sure how Gambians feel about Brits being able to afford property that they cant? Angry? Annoyed? The Welsh and the Cornish arent very keen on us buying holiday homes, so why should Gambians be any different.
As a socialist I find the whole thing about second homes and investment properties very difficult. I did seriously consider it, but backed out.....
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toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2006 : 13:15:21
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| The TAF develpoment at Brufut is lovely, we moved here last year intending to buy, but decided to rent first for a year---- definately a good move as far as we are concerned, we will continue to rent.As I've said before living here and being a tourist is very different, unless you're wealthy enough to block out the rest of the world!!I also would not like to live on an estate with other Europeans, I prefer to live in the community.We have water and electricity, at NAWECs covieniency, but hey we manage.Here at KerrSeringe, we had no water for weeks a while back, but we knew people that had so spent our days ferrying water, and our neighbours benefitted as well.It is better to be self-sufficient, ie, have a bore hole and generator,we have a generator but no bore hole.Whether Gambians like us here or not, well that goes for anywhere,I've experienced both sides here.Our neighbours just treat us like anyone else here, we just get on with our lives and don't intrude on anyone or treat any of them any differently than we would in England, why would we!But on the other hand there are people that see you as 'rich', and well thats another story.Use you commomsense, is the best advice, and do things properly, there are alot of pitfalls here, as there is in any country. Alot of people live here very happily, and alot of people find 'the dream' turns into a nightmare. |
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brusubi
Netherlands
43 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2006 : 20:26:59
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The Brufut Heights from TAF are beautiful and when the 100 million dollar Sheraton hotel will be finished there it will be a new touristcenter for the upperclass.
But the buildingarea is still protected up to now I believe.
A couple of years ago there were huge protests from the Brufut community, because their communal grounds what some of them were using for decades was given away to TAF. this people wanted their properties back or at least some kind of compensation.
Still the Brufut people don,t like this houses there
roger |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2006 : 20:57:33
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I am glad I backed out then. I wouldnt want to make a profit at the expense of local people being robbed.
What attracted me to the TAF development was that it is Gambian owned.
Did the arkalo of Brufut agree to the land being given away? Did anyone profit out of it?
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2006 : 18:50:47
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I would imagine the profit was split in the usual clandestine way Gambiabev.......havent you figured out how "business" is done in Gambia yet???. I would agree with you regarding the political instability though. I would definitely rent for the first 12 months and see what happens. Stg2,500 will get you a nice place around Kololi/Kotu.
Gambiabevquote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
I am glad I backed out then. I wouldnt want to make a profit at the expense of local people being robbed.
What attracted me to the TAF development was that it is Gambian owned.
Did the arkalo of Brufut agree to the land being given away? Did anyone profit out of it?
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Formby
United Kingdom
246 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2006 : 19:11:04
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| Somebody whose mother lives in Brufut told me that land had been sold twice there by 'the person who has the right to allocate land'. No names etc because it may not be true, but if it were, it may explain the above posting about land protests in Brufut. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2006 : 23:21:32
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This all makes me very uneasy......
If local people decide to sell their families land for taf dev. then they should profit and no one else.
I am considering buying a lot of land. Can anyone tell me is there such a thing as a gambian land registry? How do I know if the person selling the land is the owner????? |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2006 : 00:00:04
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Land ownership in the Gambia is two fold. There is a traditional tenure recognised by law but has its limitations. The other is leasehold property which the state assigns for a period of 99 years.
Since you are new to the Gambia, i would not advise you to buy land from traditional land owners. Record keeping is poor and sometimes the same land can be sold twice.
The best is to have a lease hold property whch is approved by the Director of lands and Surveys, Deputy permanent Secretary (Technical) and Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Local Government and Lands, the Secraetary of State for Lands and also registered at the Attorney General's Chambers as certified.
This type of land cannot be resold twice, would attract compensation even if the state were to need the property in name of public interest and all the boundaries are fully mark and is on the survey master plan as a residential property.
It is is a bit expensive ( may be a thousand pounds sterling difference) but is worth it and your investment is protected. The lease is 99 years and is subject to renewal and a yearly tax of about two pounds sterling payable to the Director of Lands and Surveys.
Indivividuals can have leased property and can sell it again but you can be sure that the land has no questions in terms of title and is guaranteed yours for the remainder of the term of the lease which is clearly indicated in the certified copy. Ask for the original copy and you can confirm ownership in less than 30 minutes at the Direcorate of Lands and Surveys in Banjul.
Be advised. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2006 : 00:20:36
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Please note that a land owned in traditional tenure can be changed to become a lease property but do not take the hassle involed. Leasing a portion of land can take on average one year and in some cases two years to complete.
Save yourself time by buying a leased property. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2006 : 08:03:34
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What happens when the lease is up for renewal? Is it automatically done or can the property and land be taken back?
Are the TAF properties built on leased land? This isnt mentioned on their web site.
Also the annual charge......... what is to stop that being increased to an unreasonable level? |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2006 : 18:34:30
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The lease can always be renewed but my friend i am not sure if you will be around for the renewal. Remember it is 99 years. Taf properties in Brufut should be leased by the Government. Remember, it was the government who allocated the land to him.
The annual charge cnnnot increase indiscriminately. It is usually approved at Cabinet level and endorsed by the House. I short it is part of recurrent budget.
The lease property can only be taken back if the government wants to put up facilities for public use and in which case due process takes place. You will have an early notification and compensated. in some case you get another piece of land equally leased or monetary compensation. it is just like every where in the world. Public interest always overides individual ones.
Be informed |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2006 : 19:36:05
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If I invest in a property it is not just for me it is my childrens inheritance and their childrens........and so on..... so 99 years soon passes if you think it those terms....
I think I am best to leave the Gambia alone.Keep my money in my home in England and rent when I come to Gambia. That is what I have decided. |
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Denise Johnson
United Kingdom
27 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2006 : 20:34:59
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Thanks everyone for the advice
Toubab, What do you mean by water and electricity at NAWEC's convenience?
Does anyone know when the Sheraton be finished and opened and what other developments are going on or planned in this area?
quote:
Originally posted by toubab
We have water and electricity, at NAWECs covieniency, but hey we manage.Here at KerrSeringe, we had no water for weeks a while back, but we knew people that had so spent our days ferrying water, and our neighbours benefitted as well.It is better to be self-sufficient, ie, have a bore hole and generator,we have a generator but no bore hole.
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kevinotton
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2006 : 17:33:27
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I have purchased a taf house and have some regrets. It is very English with the usual pompous people everywhere moaning about it all, seem to forget it is Gambia. Had nothing but problems with the house, now 6 months late and finished to a very poor standard. The pool sall leak and TAF couldn't give a toss. Infact just before I left I had a letter saying water and electric will be cut off if a rubbish collection service is not paid for. Every time someone moans he wants to cut the utilities.
I have a web site started for TAF - Brufut Gardens and will be adding photos from my trip there over the last 3 weeks.
http://www.brufut-gardens.co.uk |
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